by Ginger Ring
“Why not just tell him yourself?” She bit her lip fighting to take the words back that had just left her mouth. The last thing she wanted was to anger him further.
“Because that’s how we play the game. It’s his turn to come to me.”
“What makes you think he will want me back?”
“They will want you back. Your father, your sister, your brother-in-law, and your fucking boyfriend, Arlo Brunetti. Now get in the damn truck.” They shoved her in there and one threw her lost shoe at her chest.
***
Arlo
Inhaling the bootleg Cuban cigar, Arlo relished the deep rich favor. Not a smoker, he did enjoy the occasional fine cigar and they had good reason to celebrate. Roman shared that his first child would be a son. The Caponelli heir would be born soon and they all couldn’t be prouder.
Just as quickly as the good news was shared, they were back to business. The struggle with the Russians just wouldn’t go away. Fedor had been cleared of sex trafficking and running brothels. Ryan had passed on firsthand information he’d received from law enforcement friends in Chicago. How the hell did that happen?
“I don’t get it,” Jasper griped, a large cigar hanging from his lips. “I’m sure he has a lot of law in his pocket but this is clearly illegal and totally messed up.”
“Apparently whoever is on his payroll created a paper trail that didn’t lead to his door.” Roman puffed out a circle of smoke. The guy was proud as could be about becoming a father and wasn’t about to let anything dim his mood.
“I visited Alex today and he gave me the numbers to Fedor’s accounts. Once we empty them, he won’t be able to buy a newspaper,” Arlo admitted.
“We need to kill him.” Dominic stretched and placed his biker boot-clad feet on the coffee table.
Roman glanced at Dom’s footrest and scowled. “Yes, and not soon enough.”
“I say we strike Fedor’s compound.” Jasper voiced his opinion. “Take the fucker out, once and for all.”
“I agree. This has been going on for far too long.” Roman leaned forward and set his stogie on a crystal ashtray. “I’m talking to Bruno in,” he glanced at the Rolex on his wrist, “a few minutes to discuss the specifics. Several other families will be involved as well.”
“Good.” Jasper nodded.
“What about Alexander?” Arlo had mixed feelings about the man. Granted he was the brother to their enemy, and a killer, but anyone in this lifestyle was. Not the brother part, but the killer part. Everyone in this room was, yet they had wives and girlfriends who thought differently about them. Loved them anyway.
Layla, as the head of her family, would be expected to deal out punishment, retribution, and death. She may be the daughter of a don but he knew Layla didn’t have that in her and he, himself, had a conflict with Bruno even considering putting her in that heartless position.
“He will need to be put down.” Roman interlocked his fingers and set them on the desk.
Arlo’s chin hit his chest.
“I still think he could be useful. The man did give us the locations of several prime businesses and we were able to free all the women from those horrible brothels. And what about the account numbers I just got?”
“That remains to be seen.”
Arlo jumped when the cell phone buzzed on the desk in front of them. Speak of the devil, Rinaldi was on the line. Rubbing the back of his neck, he made eye contact with Jasper. Something felt off. He had nerves of steel, yet they were quivering under his skin. Something was wrong.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The meeting lasted forever, at least it seemed that way. Arlo tugged at the neck of his shirt. Only seeing Layla would relieve the tension flowing through his veins. His phone rang as soon as he left the office. An unknown number.
“Hello.”
“Mr. Brunetti?” It was a woman, the voice faintly familiar.
“Yes.” He wandered to the living room in search of Layla.
“This is Vicki. I’m Layla’s realtor. I met you a while ago at her club and she left your number as a contact.”
“Right. Yes, yes, of course. What can I do for you?” The room was empty.
“Well, Layla asked me to meet her here and she never showed up.”
“What?” He stopped. A pain in his chest throbbed. “Where is here?”
“The club. She called for me to meet her here but it’s been half an hour. I tried her cell but there’s been no answer.”
Arlo raced from room to room but there was no Layla in sight.
“I’m afraid I have to leave for a showing and I can’t stay any longer. I can’t get ahold of Miss Rinaldi to let her know.”
“Layla’s here somewhere. I’m sure she forgot about the appointment. I will let her know.”
“She just called me an hour ago and was very excited about meeting here.”
“Really? An hour ago?” That was weird. He took the stairs two at a time. The woman was probably giddy about baby stuff with Madison and forgot about it but why would she be meeting the realtor today? She’d not mentioned it all despite the numerous times he’d asked what her plans were for the day.
“Yes, she said she had some exciting news for me so I’m a bit concerned that she’s not here but I can’t wait any longer.” The coo of birds in the background proved she had left the building.
“I’m sorry for your inconvenience. I’ll have Layla get back to you as soon as possible.”
“Not a problem. I’ll be in touch. Thanks so much, Mr. Brunetti.” Arlo could hear the engine of her car start and the door slam.
“You’re welcome.” Arlo ended the call and knocked on the door of Madison’s room. She called from inside for him to enter. His boss’s wife sat in bed, a book in her lap and a glass of water in hand.
“Sorry to bother you but I’m trying to find your sister.” He had no intentions toward Roman’s wife whatsoever but stayed by the doorway out of respect.
“She’s not downstairs?” Setting her glass on the table, she scooted back to the head board.
“I didn’t check everywhere, I just figured she was with you.”
“No, she was but left about a…” her gaze fell to the clock on her nightstand, “maybe a couple hours ago. I don’t know. I must have dozed off for a bit.”
“Probably in the kitchen getting something to eat.” He hoped. “I’ll check there.” Reaching for the door he added, “Sorry to bother you.”
“No bother.” He started to close the door but Madison called out. “Arlo?”
“Yes?”
“I’m so happy you two are finally together.” The smile on her face was genuine.
“I am too. Thanks, Maddy.”
Rushing downstairs, he peeked in all the rooms. No Layla. Sprinting to the kitchen, he nearly collided with Jasper, a donut dangling from his mouth and a cup of coffee in each hand. “What the fuck, Ar?” He managed to get out before carefully taking the pastry in one cup-filled hand.
“Is Layla in there?” A feeling of doom overwhelmed him.
“No, just Dom.”
“Ahhhh.” He couldn’t help the groan that escaped his mouth. This wasn’t like him to be overwhelmed with fear. She was in the house somewhere, she had to be.
Turning around, Roman stood staring at him. “What’s going on?” Roman came toward him.
Smoothing his hair back, Arlo exhaled. “Just a bad feeling. Layla called and set up a meeting with a realtor an hour ago but never showed up. I can’t find her anywhere in the house.”
Roman called the gate house while Arlo paced. When he glanced back his way, Arlo knew. Layla wasn’t there.
“Fuck.”
The phone in his pocket buzzed and he nearly ripped it apart trying to get at it. “Yes.”
“It’s Vicki.” Her voice high pitched and shaky. “We need help.”
A chill went down his spine. “Who needs help? Layla? Where are you? What’s going on?”
“No, she’s not here.”
&
nbsp; He let out a breath and stuck his fist against the wall.
“But there’s a man here. He’s been shot.”
“Who?” If he didn’t start getting answers soon, he was going to fucking lose it.
“He refused to let me call 911 until I called you first.”
His eyes locked on Roman’s. A stern expression on his face as the man said something in Jasper’s ear.
“He said his name is Oscar. He’s been shot.” Her voice cracked as she panted into the phone.
“You did the right thing.” He tried to remain calm while wanting to jump out of his skin. Where. Was. Layla. “Let me talk to him. Please.”
“I can’t, he passed out. They shot him.” Now she was crying. “There’s blood, so much blood. I don’t know what to do.” Vicki sobbed.
“You’re sure Layla isn’t there? Did Oscar say anything about her?”
“We tracked Oscar’s phone. I have a location and men on their way.” Roman put a hand on Arlo’s shoulder, the support easing the stress and making him focus.
“No, he barely got his name out and said to call you before he passed out” she cried. “He’s still breathing though, so that’s good. Right? There’s so much blood.”
“Stay calm. Help is on the way.”
“I’m afraid. I don’t know what to d-do,” she stuttered.
“I know, but we have men coming. How soon?” He voiced to Roman and he held up two fingers. “They’ll be there in about two minutes. You need to stay calm.”
Despite asking numerous questions, she knew nothing about Layla. He tried to keep her busy and asked her to look in the car. “Wait, I see her purse.”
His knees went weak and he had to sit down.
“And a package in the backseat with her name on it.”
He closed his eyes and prayed. Something he hadn’t done in a long, long time.
“There’s someone coming.” She sighed. “Coming down the road.”
“I’ll stay on the line until they get there.”
Roman’s phone went off and he turned his back to answer it. Jasper had left and now returned with Dominic in tow. They stood to the side, ready to do whatever was needed. Vomit rose in his throat. If this is what love felt like, he wanted no part of it. He was near a break down and ready to tear apart this town brick by brick until he found Layla. There was no doubt now that someone had her. The same someone who’d shot Oscar. The same person who had tormented them for months. Fedor Fucking Dubnikov.
“They’re here. I have to go.” Vicki cut the line as Roman returned to the room. The expression on this face grim.
He didn’t need to hear the name because he already knew in his heart it was true. Fedor had Layla.
***
Layla
She awoke with a start. Visions of the past few hours rushed back. Poor Oscar, she whimpered. How could she live with herself if he died because of her impulsive actions? Reaching to rub her eyes, her arms wouldn’t move. They were tied behind her back and her legs were tied to a chair.
“The princess awakes,” Fedor spat as he paced the large room. It was a small warehouse of some kind. Rust dotted the floor in various spots, or was that dried blood?
Her stomach rolled when her gaze fell on a table of different weapons and what she could only assume were torture devices. The smell of sweat, fear, and bleach caused her to bend over as far as she could with her head between her knees.
Her captor grabbed a hunk of long hair and pulled her back up. Her skull needle-pricked with pain while she gasped for breath. The rapid movement just accelerated her nausea.
“If you don’t want me to vomit all over your pretty shoes, you better let me go,” she declared, sounding much braver than she really was. He abruptly let her go. “Why are you doing this?”
“The same reason I do everything.” He strolled around her chair before stopping in front of her. “Power.”
“That was the only reason you pursued me?” Right now she didn’t give a damn but time spent talking was time he wouldn’t be spending hurting her.
“Of course. The man that marries you rules a large territory.”
At least Arlo didn’t care about that, he wanted nothing to do with ruling. Some might consider it as lazy but it also meant not having to worry about putting your wife, daughter, or other family members in the same position she was in right now.
“What’s your plan now? A quickie wedding?” Her stomach rolled again.
“The plan is to wait. I’ve contacted Roman and Bruno.” He took a seat at the counter and picked up a knife. She swallowed as he used it to clean under his fingernails. “The ball’s in their court now.”
“How did you find me?” That was the thing that bothered her. They’d been so careful and Arlo had refused to have her tracked just for that very reason.
“The Caponellis should monitor their mail better. That priority box really wasn’t from your father.”
Dammit. How could she have been so stupid? She’d never even looked at it. “What did you ask for in return for me?” The last thing she wanted was to be used as a tool to gain wealth and territory from their years of hard work. All she wanted to do was go home but that wouldn’t happen anytime soon.
“We’ll see what they offer.”
“And if they don’t?”
“I believe they will.” He walked in her direction again, and she tried not to flinch. “Especially after I start sending them your body parts.”
Her mouth opened but no words came out. It was hard to catch her breath. There had to be something she could do, some way to save herself.
“Should we start with the fingers,” he raised his knife, “or the toes?”
A cold sweat formed on her back.
“Maybe an ear?” He brushed aside her hair and the cold edge of his blade dragged along her scalp.
Think. Think. She begged for some solution to come to mind. He pulled on the shell-like part of her ear. Knife. Ear. Help. Knife. Ear. Wait a minute! There was someone else who had been very handy with a knife, Alexander.
“What if they have something better to offer?” His eyes shifted, looking everywhere but at her. His mannerism reminded her greatly of what Arlo had said about his brother when the man had first been captured. At least when she first met him, they did. Alex was practically normal now. If you could call anyone normal in this lifestyle.
“And what would that be?” He pulled harder and she could feel blood starting to run down the side of her head.
“Stop and I’ll tell you.” The pressure eased.
“Why should I listen to you?”
“Because I know something you don’t.” It seemed like forever but he finally let go and stepped back. “They have something you want and you don’t even know it.”
“I know everything that goes on.” He laughed and tossed the bloody knife on the table. “Humor me with your last attempt to save yourself.”
She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t need to save myself, someone else will and they’ll kill you.”
“Not likely.” He grabbed the knife again. “You have two seconds to tell me why I shouldn’t just kill you if someone is going to do the same to me.” In two steps he had the knife to her throat. Her heartbeat pulsed through her veins.
“They have your brother,” she panted. The only thing keeping her upright was the fact she was tied to the chair and he had a knife to her jugular.
Fedor eyed her warily before straightening. “I figured as much but thought they’d killed him by now.”
“He’s alive. Kept in a safe house.” She gulped, in a rush to get the words out. “You can bargain to get him back. Alexander for me.”
“And why would I want him back? I’m in charge now.” Fedor seemed to weigh her words.
“Because if you don’t, they’d tell everyone he’s still alive. The oldest brother must rule from what I hear and that isn’t you.”
“But it should be me,” he gritted out.
; “I don’t make the rules, your Bratva does.” Her plan seemed to be working. “Roman’s smart. He figured they might be able to use him someday.”
“Son of a bitch.” A groan echoed in the room as Fedor slammed the knife into the wooden table blade first.
“And that day is now.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Arlo
Things happened quickly but not fast enough. Fedor had called to negotiate with Roman and Bruno. Layla must have let him know his brother was in their hands. Hopefully voluntarily. It took years off his life just thinking of such a sweet woman in that monster’s hands. If Fedor harmed a hair on her head, he would personally skin him alive, inch by inch, and then throw salt on his bare flesh.
Now they sat on the edge of a road, the exchange scheduled for midnight. The terms had been worked out. They each were only allowed one vehicle. Four men in each. Outside the one-mile limits, they had reinforcements. Arlo sat in front with Roman, while Dominic and Jasper took the back with Alexander between them. He’d been quiet the whole time, not even asking any questions.
They’d agreed not to tell Madison anything was up. Only that they’d found Layla and she was at home with Arlo. The woman didn’t need the stress to cause any problems with her pregnancy.
Jasper patted him on the back. It wasn’t too long ago that they were saving his woman from Alex, so he knew exactly what he was going through. The only thing probably keeping him from stabbing the guy next to him was that they needed the Russian alive to save Layla.
Christopher had drones monitoring the area. Roman received a text just moments before that Fedor was only a mile away. It was a battle between fear and happiness at seeing the woman he loved. Fear that something horrible had been done to her that he could never undo. Happiness that she was alive. No matter what, they would deal with it together.
“Show time,” Jasper announced as headlights pointed their way. They waited inside as the oncoming SUV parked on the opposite side of the road about fifty yards away. When the doors of the other vehicle opened, they followed suit.
